Introduction to Adapters & Connectors
In a stationary computer, adapters are typically printed circuit boards called expansion boards or expansion cards. They form a link between the central PC unit and various peripherals. This is the so called open architecture. Typically, adapters provide functions which are separated from the system board.
Adapters provide expansion capability to the computer thus allowing the user to expand their devices & functionality.
Adding a USB Adapter Card
A lot of older computers do not have USB ports & as such cannot use USB devices & peripherals. The only way to add USB support to a computer is through using either the PCI slots on a desktop computer or a PC Card for laptop computers. Depending on your computer hardware and operating system you may not be able to install a USB Adapter card.
System requirements for a USB Adapter card
You will need to be running either: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98 or Windows 95b. If you are using Windows 95 revision b, you will need to install the USB supplement from the Microsoft website. If you have a version of Windows NT before Version 4.0 you will not be able to install the USB adapter card You will need a Pentium class computer that has at least one PCI slot free or a Pentium class laptop with at least one free PC card slot for PC card adapters.
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